• Artificial Intelligence

    Welcome to your friendly local chatbot


    Open Forum |  March 29, 2024


    QUT researchers have homed in on AI-powered chatbots in the local government sector to look at their benefits and risks, what they are used for and why, and how users view them.


  • Transport

    Car wars


    Open Forum |  March 29, 2024


    Medical pressure group Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) have called for the cross bench to reject the watered down and delayed fuel efficiency standard proposed by the Federal Government, and urged it to protect the health of Australians by requiring tougher vehicle fleet standards.


  • Energy

    The hidden costs of coal mines’ unquenchable thirst


    Open Forum |  March 29, 2024


    Investors and shareholders in Australian coal mining could feel the pinch as water-related risks increase amid worsening climate change impacts, tighter regulations and growing community opposition.


Latest Story

  • Health and wellness trends that will define the “new normal”

    Derek Lotts     |      November 18, 2020

    The COVID outbreak has underlined the importance of staying fit and well, even when fitness and sporting facilities have been closed or limited in their capacity.

  • Rethinking Australia’s relations with the USA and China

    Sophie Mayo     |      November 18, 2020

    Sophie Mayo argues that Australia should hedge its bets between China and the USA at a time of increasing international tensions, and look to diversify its economic and strategic ties.

  • A new dawn for disaster management

    Paul Barnes     |      November 18, 2020

    Effective disaster risk reduction focuses heavily on prevention and preparedness capacities, but it also implies coordination between state and federal agencies.

  • Pre-school is becoming a federal election issue

    Kate Noble     |      November 18, 2020

    As well as promising benefits for children, a more integrated, universal preschool education system would deliver significant benefits to families and the economy.

  • Gippsland lakes revisited

    Max Thomas     |      November 17, 2020

    Incorporating traditional cultural values – such as the idea of soil being a living entity – into science can help restore land and water habitats in the Gippsland Lakes and elsewhere.

  • Negotiating the morality of human-robot relations

    Rachel Gray     |      November 17, 2020

    Designers who use ethics to shape better companion robots will end up making better humans too.

  • What do employees value in the age of COVID-19?

    Craig Donaldson     |      November 17, 2020

    There are a number of important lessons for leaders who are looking to maximise productivity and engagement with employees who work from home.

  • This year – A Victorian perspective

    Alan Stevenson     |      November 16, 2020

    As Victoria finally emerges from its long lock-down and travel restrictions begin to ease between the states, Alan Stevenson looks back at the experience and finds rays of hope for his community in what has been a dark year for the country.

  • The struggle for truth in the era of deep-fakes

    Gordon Weiss     |      November 16, 2020

    When our senses are drowned in a flood of dubious images how will we make the truth more resilient to maintain stable governance, trust in institutions and faith in the evening news?

  • Put down your phone and go to sleep

    Open Forum     |      November 16, 2020

    Analysis of data from the UK Biobank, involving almost 85,000 people, has found that lifestyle factors such as less screen time, adequate sleep, a better-quality diet, and physical activity can help fight depression.

  • Hotter days ahead

    Lynette Bettio     |      November 15, 2020

    While this year’s summer may be cooler and wetter than 2019, the latest State of the Climate report warns of hotter days ahead.

  • Pulling back the veil

    Brendan Nicholson     |      November 15, 2020

    Allegations of atrocities by Australian special forces in Afghanistan have been circulating for years, and the forthcoming report on the issue may raise some uncomfortable issues.